Dirty cities to be announced

JAKARTA: The government will announce the cleanest and dirtiest cities in the country in mid-December to mark the start of the race for the Adipura environmental awards.

A total of 365 cities are vying for the awards, which are presented annually in June in conjunction with Environment Day.

"The announcement of the dirtiest cities will compel all cities in the country to stay clean. The government expects to see at least 50 clean cities by 2008," State Minister of the Environment Rachmat Witoelar said on Tuesday.

Activists, journalists and community members will sit on the selection panel for the awards.

Rachmat said the dirtiest cities would be given the chance to improve themselves before the winners were announced. -- JP